Netanyahu breaks silence with video message amid death rumors, Seeks billions for war

TBM Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, putting to rest swirling rumors regarding his health and reported death. Instead of a public appearance, the Prime Minister chose a digital platform to address the nation, focusing primarily on the immense financial burden of the ongoing conflict with Iran. Netanyahu, currently accused of war crimes by international observers, emphasized the need for a “special defense budget” involving billions of Shekels to sustain the military operations.

“There is no question, we had to start this war,” Netanyahu stated in the video. “But war is expensive—it requires massive amounts of capital.” He highlighted that the defense infrastructure, particularly the interception of Iranian drones and missiles, necessitates a significant fiscal expansion. This call for funds comes at a time when Israel is grappling with both domestic unrest and international legal scrutiny over its conduct in the Middle East.

According to the latest report from the Israeli Ministry of Health, the humanitarian toll of the conflict has been significant. In the last 10 days, approximately 2,339 Israelis have received hospital treatment due to injuries from Iranian drone and missile strikes. Within the last 24 hours alone, 191 individuals were admitted to hospitals. Currently, 95 people remain hospitalized, with at least one in critical condition.

Netanyahu’s strategic use of a recorded message rather than a live press conference has left some analysts questioning the exact nature of his current physical status. However, his focus on securing a multi-billion shekel budget signals that the Israeli government is preparing for a long-term, high-intensity confrontation with Tehran.